Building a Healthier Region Through Research and Collaboration

Our Introduction

The Health Planning Council, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, conducts numerous planning and community connecting projects across Florida. Since every community is unique, our approach to better understanding a community’s need is aligned with the Social Ecological Model. The Social Ecological Model is a comprehensive approach to planning that not only addresses a community or an individual’s risk factors, but also the norms, beliefs, social and economic systems that create the conditions for positive health outcomes.

Our Philosophy: Quality of a Healthy Life

According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Indeed a “medical care” focus can distract leaders from the issues that can actually make a measurable impact in health performance. A healthy community, as described by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2010 report, is one that continuously creates and improves both its physical and social environments. Such communities help people to support one another in aspects of daily life and to develop to their fullest potential. Happy and Healthy PlacesTM are those designed and built to improve the quality of a healthy life for all people who live, work, worship, learn, and play within their borders. They also provide easy access and connectivity to other communities—places where every person is free to make choices amid a variety of healthy, available, accessible, and affordable options.

As a nation, we are learning that growing a healthy community is a lifelong process-one that requires our constant nurturing and vigilance. Healthy communities result from healthy choices and environments that support shared responsibility. And everyone has a role to play in building a healthier, more vibrant community.

A renewed emphasis on the relationships between economic, social, and political factors and health and mental-well being status is transforming local leaders’ perspectives on identifying the most leveraged loci of change in health improvement.

Our Vision

Northeast Florida will become the healthiest region in the state through evidence-based assessment, data, and planning.

Our Mission

To improve health outcomes by serving as the source for health information, analysis, and planning in northeast Florida.

Our Core Values

Collaboration

Excellence

Integrity

Leadership

Objectivity

Our History

The Health Planning Council (HPC) of Northeast Florida has been addressing the healthcare needs of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, and Volusia counties (Florida Agency for Health Administration District 4) for more than 40 years under a variety of federal, state, and local health planning initiatives. We strive to meet Florida’s healthcare challenges through planning, research and evaluation initiatives that target local healthcare needs and affect health policy.

In 1982, the HPC became one of 11 Local Health Councils mandated by Florida State Statute 408.033 to dedicate resources and expertise to regional health utilization data management, health planning and research, community organizing, and health promotion and awareness programs.

For over 40 years, the Health Planning Council has prided itself on being the region’s trustworthy resource for health and environmental information, community engagement and stewardship. Our solid relationships with healthcare providers such as hospitals, EMS providers; long-term care providers; behavioral health providers; primary care providers; community health centers; public health; federal and local land use, transportation, housing, economic development entities is not only reflected in our Regional Resume but also in the professional diversity of our Board of Directors.

We are considered the “Switzerland” of health care in Northeast Florida. Therefore, community stakeholders turn to us to assist with community capacity projects via coalition and network building and sustainability, Board governance development, fiscal administration, and fund development strategies.

Health is what we do. Our depth in national, state, and local health knowledge, trends and reliability is unmatched.

Let us help you with your health project, program, policy, or partnership.